Roller-skate



E. E. HARDY. ROLLER SKATE.

H APPLICATION FILED AUG. 27, 1918- Patented July 6, 1920.

3 SHEETS-SHEET l.

E. E. HARDY. ROLLER SKATE.

APPLICATION FILED AUG-27, I918- Patenwd July 6, 1920.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3 EMERY EASTMAN HARDY, F BROOKLYN, N E'W YORK.

ROLLER-SKATE misses.

Application filed August 27, 1918.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that l, Earner EASTMAN lTiARDl, a citizen of the UnitedStates, re-

siding at Eroolrlyn, in the county of Kings and State of New York, haveinvented certain new and useful improvements in Roller-Skates, oi whichthe following -is specification.

ltiy invention relates to improvements in roller skates and the objectof my improvement is to simplify the construction and to introducecertain novel and useful features in roller skates of the general formsuch as shown in the patents previously granted to me, to wit p PatentNo. 2,813, September '7, 19b3,

Patent No. 1,228,1ll, May 29, 19M; and

Patent No. Li /$6,212, August 20', iQlS.

In the accompanying drawing- Figure l is a side elevation of my improvedroller skate.

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the same.

" 3 is bottom view of the same.

g. i is an end elevation of the front end. g. 5 is an end elevation ofthe rear end.

Fig. is a plan view of the blank flior the front heel lu'g member, on anenlarged scale. lli 7 is a sectional view on the line [-'i' 8 is asectional view on the line 8-8 0t *ig. 1.

Fig. 9 is a sectional View on the line 9-9 0;" Fig. 1. R

Fig. 10 is a sectional view on the line 10 10 of Fig. 8.

Fig. ll is a sectional view on the line ll ll of Fig. 8.

12 is a rear elevation of the rear shaft, showing the indentation torpositioning; the shaft connecting membenan outline portion of the saidmember being indicated by broken lines.

13 is a rearelevation of a mod-idem tion 01 the d shaft, showingdifferent means for pr. itioning the connecting member, the connectingmember being shown in se -tion.

14 is a rear elevation showing the parts in a dii'l 'erent position fromthat shown in Fig. 8, involving a relative swinging or rocking of theparts.

F 15 is a plan View of the blank the "front member.

Fig. 16 is a plan View of the blank therear member.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 6, 1920.

Serial No. 251,609.

Fig. 17 is a side elevation showing the pivotal connecting means for theheel strap.

Fig. 18 is a fragmentary sectional view on the line 18-48 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 19 is a plan View of the blank for the heel strap connectingmember.

My improved roller skate comprises a skate body that is made up of afront member 10, a rear member 11, and an adjustable front heel lugmember 12, held together by means or a screw 13 and a nut let;

A set of wheels is supported by the said body, comprising a pair ofwheels 15 at the iront positioned side by side so as to be operable asone wheel, and a pair of rear wheels 16 in spaced relation at the endsof the rear shaft 17.

At the hack lateral edges of the rear member 11 is a pair of upstandingfixed rear heel lugs 18 to which are connected by means or a speciallocking pivotal connection heel strap connecting members 19.

Operativcly connected to the front memher 10 is a pair of tee clampingmembers 20 that have threaded connection with the key operated clampingscrew 21 and are provided with rip-standing lugs 2-2 to which areconnected the toe straps 23 by means out eyelet rivets 2st.

The blank for the front member 10, shown in Fig. 15, comprises asymmetrical structure having the body portion 25 at the axis and a pairof wings extending laterally from the sides composed of the arm pentions 26 at the outer ends and the intermediate connecting portions 27.The por tions 26 and 27 mentioned are connected along the folding line28 and the connecting portion 27 is connected tc'the body portion'25along the folding line The arms 26 are provided at the outer ends withslots 30 for the front shaft 31.

In front of the wings described is a pair of laterally extending logsthat are bent downwarr'lly to provide a sliding and supportingconnection for the toe clamping iei'nbers 20, each of which comprises ahead po ion 32 at the outer end and a relatively narrow neck portion 33connecting the said head portion 32 with the body portion 25 oi thefront member 10.

At the middle of the body portion 25, between the toe cl'ampin memberlugs 32, an integral finger 3d is formed from the blank by a u sha'pedslit that is bent down wardly'at the connected end 36 and has the freeend 87 curled around in circular form, as shown in Fig. 7, to it in thereduced, unthreaded portion 38 of the key operated clamping screw 21,between the threaded portions 39, suitably to serve as positioning meansfor the said clamping screw. The said linger 3 it will be noted, isdirected along the longitudinal axis in the blank, the connectingportion 35 being positioned across the said axis, and when bentdownwardly and curled, as described, the material V of the said lingerextends across the vertical axial plane. Y

two rear heel lugs 18 that are bent upwardlyalong the connecting lines42 and which are each provided with an inclined slot 1:8 for.

receiving the heel strap connecting member .19, the saidlugs 18 being atthe rear end;

in front of the lugs 18 are a pair of laterally directed wings that arecomposed each of an arm portion 44 at the outer end, and a connectingportion 45 intermediate the said arm portion 14 and the body portion e1,the said wings being bent along the folding lines so and 47 so as toposition the arm portions in pendent position, under the body portion41, su1tably to provide the proper support for the rear wheelsandconnected parts, the arm portions 44 being provided with slots 41-8 forreceiving the rear shaft and certain other parts to be described; and inthe front partof the body portion 41 is a t -shaped lug that is formedfrom the material of the blank and is bent downwardly along theconnecting line 49 and comprises the head portion 50 at the outer endand the relatively narrow connecting neck 51 intermediate the said headportion 50 and the connecting line 4-9. Back of the lug 50 is alongitudinal slot 61.

The blank for the front adjustable heel lug member 12, as shown in Fig.6, is gen.

:erally rectangular and comprises the body portion 52 generally at themiddle having the hole 53 for the clamping screw 13; the heel engaginglug 54.- at the rear end and bent upwardly along the connecting line 55;

and at the front end is a T-shaped lug that is connected along the line56 and is bent downwardly along the said line, and that is composed ofthe overhanging head portion 57 at the front or outer end and therelatively narrow neck portion 58 intermediate the said head portion 57and the con necting line 56.

' In assembling the body or frame structure the front end 59 of the rearmember is brought into position'above the rear end 60 of the frontmember 10, the neck 51 of the T-shaped lug on the rear member 11 beingpositioned in the slot 40 and the head 50 of the said lug being engagedwith the border walls of the said slot 40 on the under side of the bodyportion 25 of the front member 10, thus providing a partial con nectionfor the front member 10 and the rear member 11.

That is to say, provision is made as described for connecting themembers 10 and 11 one point. In order to effect an efiicient and properconnection of these members it is necessary to provide a second connection, appreciably separated from the first connection, and provisionis made for doing this by utilizing for the second connection theclamping screw 13, as will be described. Also, provision is made forsuch two point connection forthe heel lug member 12, with the clampingscrew 13 serving as one of the connecting means.

The heel lug member 12 is assembled with the body portion 52 above thebody portion 41 of the rear member 11, the neck 58 being extendedthrough the slots 61 and d0 and the head 57 being engaged with the wallsof the slot i0 in the front member 10, as in the case of the lug head50, on the under side of the body portion 25. Thus one connection isprovided for the heel lug member 12. The second connection for the sameis provided by the clamping screw 13, which passes downwardly through.the hole 53, the slot 61, and the slot 40, the nut 14 engaging with theunder side of the body portion 25 f the front member 10, as shown inFig. 8. The toe clamps 20, as shown in Fig. 18, comprise each the bodyportion 62 that is positioned transversely of the body portion 25 of thefront member 10,'on the under side 7 thereof, has the upstanding lug 22on the outer end, and at the inner end has the pendent arm 63 that isthreaded to engage with the threaded portion39of the clamp-- ing screw21. The body portion 62 bass longitudinal'slot (i l for receiving and engaging with the toe clamp lug composed of the neck 33 and the head 32.

The wheels are all provided with a rigid shaft and bearing support,constructed and arranged so that the clamping nuts on the ends of theshaft can be screwed up tightly without effecting a clamping of thewheels themselves or interfering with the free operation. of the wheels,as will be describe l.

The wheels themselves are all made after the same plan, the onlydifference between the front wheels and the rear'wheels being 1n thesize, the front wheels being of ap preciably greater diameter than therear wheels 16.

Considering the front wheel supporting structure, the front shaft 31extends through the slots 30 in the front arms 26, are threaded forsubstantially the entire length, as shown in Fig. 9, and have holes forcotter pins 65 at the ends.

Mounted on the middle portion of the shaft 31 is a sleeve 66 that servesas the bearing for the two front wheels 15, is slightly longer than thecombined thickness of the two hub portions of the wheels, and isappreciably shorter than the width of the open space between the twoarms 26. l/Vashers 67 fill the space along the shaft 31 between the endsof the sleeve 66 and the opposed arms 26. The washer 67 on the side ofthe wheel serves as a thrust bearing for the wheel and for this reasonis of appreciably greater diameter than the sleeve 66. lVashers 69 and68 may be provided between the clamping nuts 70 and the outer faces ofthe arms 26.

Considering the wheels 15, these are composed of a main part 71 and anauxiliary ,hub member 72. The main parts 71 comprise a sleeve like hubportion 73 at the middle that fits along the sleeve bearing 66,

. a cylindrical tread portion 7st at the periphery, and a single webportion 75 connecting the ends of the portions 7 3 and 7 1. The wheelsare positioned preferably, for looks sake, with the web portions 75 onthe outer or exposed side of the wheels structure. The webs 75 aredished inwardly, as shown, to provide operating space between the wheeland the supporting arm 26 for the thrust bearing washer 67.

The hub member 72 is a cup-like structure, having a radial end wall 76that is perforated to fit the sleeve bearing 66, and which in use abutsagainst the mating end wall 76, and extending inwardly from the end wall7 6 is a cylindrical sleeve 77 that fits over the hub portion 73 of themain part 71.

Considering the rear wheel structure, the rear shaft 17 comprises arelatively large portion 78 at the middle that is of suflicient lengthto extend through and slightly beyond the slots d8 in the arms 44-, andreduced threaded end portions 79 of appreciable length and having holesadjacent the extreme ends for cotter pins 80, a shoulder 81 being formedat the 'unction of the two portions 78 and 79. l ounted on the endportion 7 9 and abutting against the shoulder 81 is a washer 82 ofappreciable diameter that serves as a thrust bearing'for the rear wheel16 and also serves as the support for the free end of the positioning orrocking spring 83.

In abutment with the washer 82 and also mounted on, the threaded endportion 7 9, is the sleeve hearing 84 that is slightly longer than thehub portion of the rear wheel 16 that is mounted thereon At the end ofthe bearing sleeve 8 1 is the end thrust washer 85. A second washer 86may be interposed between the thrust bearing washer 85 and the clampingnut 87.

The enlarged portion 7 8 of the shaft 17 has an indentation 88 in theperipheral wall into which the material of the shaft connecting member89 is forced, as shown at 90 in Fig. 10, for positioning these partsagainst longitudinal separation, the said connecting member 89 having asleeve 91 at the lower end that encircles the shaft 17.

In the modification shown in Fig. 13 the enlarged portion 7 8- of theshaft 17 has a reduced portion 92 along the middle that serves as theholding means for the sleeve 91 of the connecting member 89*.

The connecting member 89 serves as the means for connecting the rearshaft 17 with the frame structure and the connection for the saidconnecting member 89 with the frame structure is in the form 'of apivotal connection, provided by means of the pivotal pin 93 in thefollowing manner :A fixed block 94- is rigidly secured between the twoarms A in any suitable manner, as by means of integral rivets 95, and ispositioned in a generally vertical plane, in line with the two slots 18in the arms 14, and is, furthermore provided in the lower end portion,appreciably above the shaft 17 with a hole for the pivotal pin 93.

The connecting member 89 is formed of sheet material that is bent at themiddle to form the sleeve 91 and to provide two upwardly extending arms96 that are spaced suitably to receive between them the said lowerportion of the block 9d and that are also perforated to receive thepivotal pin 93.

/Vhen supported in the manner described the shaft 17 is free to swing orrock relatively to the frame structure, and in such movement the shaftis guided by the engagement of the portions that extend through theslots 18 in the arms 44 with the side walls of the said slots.

Thus, as described, means are provided for a swinging movement of therear wheels 16 relatively to the frame structure, which permits ofmaintaining both of the rear wheels 16 in contact with the floor with anappreciable range of lateral to and fro movement of the frame structure,such as is usual in use in the movements of the foot.

In order to provide for positively tilting or swinging the shaft andwheels for the purpose mentioned I incorporate in the structure suitablespring devices comprising a pair of springs one on each side.

The said springs 83 are formed of flat spring material, extend laterallyfrom the block 94. and through the slots 48 suitably bear in each caseon the peripheral edge of the thrust bearing washer 82 and be supportedthereby, and have the free end por isloclcedin the slot 100 againstlateral dis placement by means .of the two arms 96 of the connectingmember 89 that bear against the opposite faces of the block 94: andclose the sides of the said slot 100. Y

The free end portions97 of the springs 83 operate upwardly anddownwardly in the slots 18 in the arms 24: and are guided in theirmovements by the side walls of the.

said slots. 1

As described, the washers S2 serve in each case as one of the thrustbearings for the opposed rear wheel 16 and also as the bearing orcontact device on the shaft 17 for cooperating with spring operatedrocking or tilting mechanism for swinging the wheels 16 relatively tothe frame structure.

The heel strap connecting member 19, the blank for which is shown inFig. 19, comprises a plate-like body portion that has a slot at theupper end for receiving the heel strap and that has at the lower end aT- shaped lug of the general form of the T- shaped lugs alreadydescribed, consisting of a head portion 104 at the outer end and a reduced neck 105 connecting the said head portion 104 and the bodyportion. The neck 105 is bent so as to position the head portion 104- inoff-set relation to the body portion, and may be slightly twisted, asshown in Fig. 1.

The upstanding rear heel lugs 18 have each a slot 4:3 for cooperatingwith the lug on the connecting member 19 for providing a pivotalconnection therewith, the head 10% being threaded through the said slot13, leaving the neck 105 in engagement with the said slot 41-3. The slot43 is preferably in clined, as shown, and is appreciably shorter thanthe width of the head 10-1, being of sntlicient length to permit offreely assembling the parts in the manner described, and to permit of anappreciable range in the adjustment of the relative positions of theparts to conform to different positions of the heel straps on the foot,such adjustment including a pivotal movement ofthe parts.

I claim as my invention 1. A roller skate comprising a frame that iscomposed. of a front frame member and a rear frame member havingoverlapping parts, the said parts comprising a lower part that extendsrearwardly from the front frame member and has a longitudinal slot andan upperpart that extends forwardly from the rear frame member, overlaysthe said lower part, and has a T-shaped lug that is projected throughthe said slot forserving as one means of connection of the framemembers, and the said frame members being provided .with means for.receiving a bolt and nut for serving as a second means of connection ofthe frame members.

2. A roller skate comprising a front frame member having a slot, a rearframe member having a slot and a T-shaped lug, a .heel lug member havinga hole .for a clamping screw and aVT-shaped lug, and the said membersbeing adapted for being adjustably connected together with the lug onthe rear frame [member cooperating with the slot in the, front framemember, the lug onthe heel lug member cooperating with the slots in bothof the frame members, and a clamping screw enteredin the said hole andalso both of the slots in the frame members;

3. A roller skate having a frame structure made of sheet material and apair oftoe clamps operatively supported by the said structure, the, saidframe structure having a pair of pendent T-shaped lugs connected toopposite edges, and the said toe clamps being each slotted suitably toreceive and engage with one ofthe said lugsfor providing an adjustableconnection with the frame structure.

1. A roller skate having a rear frame member that is provided with apair of upstanding, fixed rear heel lugs and having a pair of heel strapconnecting members for being connected one to each of the said lugs, andmeans integral with the said members cooperating with means integralwith the said lugs for effecting a connection of the parts so as topermit of a combined pivotal and limited relative sliding movement ofthe parts.

5. A roller skate as described in claim 4 iaving the said rear heel lugsprovided with a slot, and the means for pivotal connection comprising aT-shaped lug on the said connecting member engaged with the said slot.

6. A roller skate having a front member, toe clamping mechanismoperatively supported on the under side of the said member andcomprising a transversely directed clamping screw, the said screw havinga reduced portion at the middle, and a positioning finger for the saidscrew extending downwardly from the-said front member and having acurled end portion fitting and engaged with the said reduced portion.

7. A roller skate as described in claim 6 having the front member madeof sheet material, and the said finger being formed of material that isintegral with the material of the said front member.

8. In a roller skate, a shaft for supporting [a pair of rear wheels, awheel receiving structure mounted on the ends of the said shaft andcomposed of a bearing sleeve and an end washer at each end of the saidsleeve, means in the form of a shoulder for limiting the movement of thesaid structure along the said shaft engaged with one of the saidwashers, the said sleeve having threaded engagement with the said shaft,and a clamping nut on the said shaft and operative to effect a clampingagainst the other of the said washers, so as to effect a holding of thesaid wheel receiving structure in place and effect a locking of theparts in operative position.

9. A wheel for a roller skate composed of a main part and an auxiliaryhub part, the said main part comprising two concentric cylindricalportions that are connected by a web portion, the inner of the saidcylindrical portions serving as a hub and bearing portion and extendinglaterally from one side of the said web portion, and the said auxiliaryhub part being in the form of a thimble structure, having a radial wallat one end that abuts against the end of the said hub and bearingportion and a cylindrical sleeve portion connected to the said radialwall and that is slipped along over the outer side of the saidhub andbearing portion.

10. A roller skate having a frame structure, a pair of rear wheelsupporting arms extending downwardly from the said structure and inspaced relation, the said arms having mating, approximately verticallydirected slots, a shaft extending through the said slots and having endportions projected outside the said arms, wheels mounted on the said endportions, means for pivotally connecting the said shaft and frame, and apair of springs supported by the said frame structure and having bearingengage ment with the said shaft for positioning the said shaftrelatively to the said frame structure.

11. In a roller skate, a frame having a pair of arms for supporting thefront wheel structure, a shaft extending through the said arms, abearing structure mounted on the portion of the said shaft between thesaid arms and composed of a bearing sleeve for the major portion of thelength and a bearing washer at each end of the said sleeve, clampingnuts on the ends of the said shaft for holding the parts in position,the said sleeve being internally threaded, and the said shaft beingprovided with a screw thread for the entire length for having threadedengagement with the said sleeve and the said nuts.

12. A roller skate as described in claim 10 having bearing devices forthe said wheels on the said end portions of the shaft, clamping nuts onthe said end portions for holding the said bearing devices in place, andthe said end portions of the shaft having cotter pins that arepositioned outside of the said nuts.

13. A roller skate as described in claim 10 and having a pair of washersmounted on the said shaft and positioned in spaced relation, the saidwashers serving as bearing members for the said shaft in cooperationwith the said springs.

14. A roller skate as described in claim 13 and having means forlimiting the pivotal movement of the said shaft relatively to the saidarms, and the said means comprising on each side one of the said washersin cooperation with one side of the said spring and the end wall of oneof the said slots in cooperation with the other side of the said spring.

EMERY EASTMAN HARDY.

